IT was the icing on the cake for Wellington’s new mayor Cllr Marcus Barr when he opened a new town centre shop in his first official engagement on Saturday (May 6).

Cllr Barr cut a celebratory cake and also a ribbon as he opened House of Cake, in High Street, for owner Lesley Retallack.

Cllr Barr said: “I am so pleased that this is my first engagement because the council supports local businesses and we want to see a vibrant and diverse town centre which offers variety and quality for local residents and people visiting to do their shopping.

A ribbon cutting ceremony performed by Wellington Mayor Cllr Marcus Barr to officially open House of Cake for Lesley Retallack
A ribbon cutting ceremony performed by Wellington Mayor Cllr Marcus Barr to officially open House of Cake for Lesley Retallack. (Tindle News)

“We have a committee which has been targeting support for the town centre and its businesses and we started the Pop Up Shop so we could help nascent enterprises test the market and provide opportunities for those who might not be able to afford high street overheads.

“I wish Lesley and her family every success with their business, it is the type of shop Wellington has been missing in the town centre for a long time.”

For Ms Retallack, Saturday’s opening was a return to her family roots, following in the footsteps of her great-great-grandfather, who owned a cake shop in Bristol in the 1800s.

House of Cake has opened in a former vegan café premises which has stood empty for about a year and is a family affair for Ms Retallack.

Wellington Mayor Cllr Marcus Barr cutting a cake with Lesley Retallack at the official opening of House of Cake
A cake was cut by new Wellington Mayor Cllr Marcus Barr to open Lesley Retallack's House of Cake. (Tindle News)

Working with her in the dessert parlour is her mother Nanny Neen, aged 82, son Marcus Enyoisi and daughter-in-law Melissa Squibb, while step-father Terry Webber fitted out the premises.

Ms Retallack is a chef by trade but has been working as a college lecturer in hospitality for the past 23 years.

She said: “After teaching hospitality for so long I am pleased to be back. It is something I have always wanted to do. It is in the family dna.”

The dessert parlour offers cakes, milkshakes, and other treats to eat in or take away, as well as to order via the business website.

Some of the cake topping models made by Lesley Retallack – with the one on the top right being a representation of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Some of the cake topping models made by Lesley Retallack – with the one on the top right being a representation of the late Queen Elizabeth II. (Tindle News)

Part of the building has been converted into a teaching academy where Ms Retallack will run sessions for children as well as a junior chef club and courses for adults.

She said: “It will be things like bread-making, decorating cakes for Christmas, and making models for the tops of cakes.”